I was born in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, in 1961. My father was artist-educator Gentile Tondino RCA. From a very young age, I was surrounded by various artist-friends of my father. In this environment, debates over art occurred on a day to day basis, and as a result, I developed an appreciation for vastly divergent views on art (and other issues) which stimulated me to enroll in philosophy at McGill University (BA). I completed an MA at University of Montreal.

My father's studio was in our living room. My parents had a fold-out couch which they slept on with the oil paint and turpentine drying. My father then rented a small outdoor garage and converted it into a studio adding a skylight. I was with him all the time. He'd give me materials, paper, showed me how to do monoprints and linocuts. He would also take us on sketching-school trips which were held for the students at McGill. I have always enjoyed working outdoors more than studio painting.